Monday, June 8, 2020 – Coronavirus concerns disrupt Native meat suppliers
Meat processors are having a hard time getting back to pre-coronavirus production levels because of the potential for large infection outbreaks among their employees. That’s a kink in the system that has implications for Native ranchers, packing plants, and ultimately consumers. The same threat is present for all food industries that rely on humans to keep the system moving, like commercial fishing, poultry farmers, and some grain and vegetable suppliers.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 – On the COVID-19 front lines
As public spaces begin re-opening, doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians remain on the front lines of fighting the coronavirus pandemic. They are working long hours testing and treating people, increasing their chances of infection. In some cases they are working without adequate equipment and rapidly changing information. We’ll talk with Native professionals on the front lines of the pandemic about how they’re coping. We’ll also hear about how the response has evolved, what health policy makers are getting right, and where things need to improve.
Wednesday June 10, 2020 – Making college plans during the pandemic
There are a lot of questions about the coming school year as colleges grapple with the continuing coronavirus threat. A survey of the American Council on Education Presidents finds 53% of institutions are “very likely” to have in-person classes in the fall. It’s not clear what some other institutions are planning. The entire California State University system is among those going completely online for at least the first semester of the school year. We’ll talk about the concerns Native students have navigating an uncertain higher education landscape during the pandemic.
Thursday, June 11, 2020 – Drilling near Chaco Canyon
After the tribes and pueblos in the area applied pressure, Sec. David Bernhardt announced the U.S. Department of Interior would extend the public comment period on a proposal to allow fracking near Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. It is a concession to the tribes hoping to keep intact a ban on oil and gas drilling on federal land within 10 miles of the historic and spiritual site. The buffer zone moratorium expires this year.
Friday, June 12, 2020 – Native voter suppression
A new report finds serious barriers to the polls for some Native American voters. As the presidential election nears, the Native American Rights Fund warns voting registration purges, I.D. laws, address requirements, and limited polling stations all hamper Native voter participation. The report is drawn from personal accounts by hundreds of Native voters in listening sessions around the country. The coronavirus pandemic could exacerbate an already challenging situation as some states are moving to also restrict mail-in ballots. We’ll talk to the authors of the report about what they say needs to happen to make voting more accessible to Native people.
